The infectious complications of blood transfusion

Infection after blood transfusion has become a major area of concern over the past decade. With current donor-screening procedures and laboratory testing of all blood donations, the chance of developing a post-transfusion infection is remote. Concern about viral infections predominates, and non-A, non-B hepatitis remains the most common form of post-transfusion viral infection. Hbv infections are unusual: the development of AIDS after a blood transfusion has been markedly reduced with rigorous donor screening and laboratory testing. At the time of writing, over six million units of blood and blood products which have been screened and tested for anti-HIV have been given to Canadians without evidence of seroconversion.